(Performance options)
| Specific Instrument/Voice Requirements for Performance Applicants to Masters of Music (MMus), Graduate Professional Performance Diploma (GPPD) or Doctorate of Music (DMus) |
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Screening RequirementsAll applicants in conducting, female voices, Graduate Diploma in Professional Performance and all Doctorate of Music (DMus) performance applicants will be required to submit recordings (in the case of conducting, DMus, and Graduate Diploma video only) for pre-selection by December 1. The screening material should include a minimum of 20 minutes of music and have a least two contrasting pieces. Following a review of these recordings, selected applicants will be invited to attend a live audition. No live auditions will be scheduled until an audio recording or video has been received and reviewed. Please submit material in one of two ways:
NOTE: Applicants who are currently McGill students and completing a music degree are not required to submit screening material. Please note that all McGill music students who graduated more than one year ago and applying to conducting, female voice Graduate Diploma in Professional Performance or DMus will be required to submit screening material. |
Live AuditionsAll Performance applicants must prepare an entrance audition of approximately 30-60 minutes of recital material. The prepared program should be brought, in writing, to the audition. Selections will be made by the auditioning panel. The Schulich School of Music will provide accompanists free of charge for the audition time only. Rehearsal costs are the responsibility of the applicant and vary depending on the accompanist. Applicants should contact their accompanist at least 48 hours prior to the audition to arrange rehearsal times, provide music, etc. However, applicants may bring their own accmpanists, if they wish, at their own expense. Recorded AuditionsA recording of recital material is acceptable only when distance prevents the applicant from attending an audition in Montreal. If not auditioning live, all video recordings submitted must be recent (within six to eight months) and unedited. Recorded auditions must be of very good technical quality. Recordings from live performances are particularly welcomed. Please submit audition video material by using a file sharing service such as dropbox, sendspace, etc. Please submit link to graduateadmissions [dot] music [at] mcgill [dot] ca. Please include information such as your name, instrument/voice (for example; soprano, jazz guitar, etc) and ID. Clearly indicate (subject line) you are submitting a recorded audition. |
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Doctorate of Music (DMus)s & GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE APPLICANTS: |
Brass (Options: Chamber Music, Orchestral, Solo)
Chamber Music:
- 60 minutes of recital material (solo and/or chamber music) in various styles
Orchestral:
- 40 minutes of recital material
- 20 minutes of standard orchestral excerpts
Solo:
- 60 minutes of solo recital material in various styles
DMus/Graduate Diploma:
- 60 minutes of recital material in various styles
Conducting (Options: Choral, Orchestral, Wind Band)
Please note that Choral Conducting will not be accepting applications for September 2013. Orchestral Conducting and Wind Band Conducting are available (MMus only).
A 15- to 30-minute rehearsal with one of the Faculty's orchestral and/or wind ensembles.
Orchestral applicants will be provided with a repertoire list.
Sight-singing and score reading at the keyboard may be given, as well as a short test of the applicant's background knowledge of choral, orchestral or wind band literature.
Note: For preliminary consideration, candidates must send video recordings prior to December 1st. No live auditions will be scheduled until a video has been received and reviewed. Following a review of these recordings, selected applicants will be invited to attend a live audition.
Early Music Instruments
(Baroque Violin, Viola, Cello, Viola da Gamba, Flute, Recorder, Oboe, Early brass)
Sixty minutes of recital material, 20 minutes of which may contain chamber music. The program should include a work by Bach, a French suite or sonata, and an Italian sonata.
DMus/Graduate Diploma:
Applicants should prepare 60 minutes of recital repertoire. The program should include a work by Bach, a French suite or sonata, and an 18th-century Italian sonata; where appropriate, works from the 17th century should be included as well.
(Harpsichord)
Sixty minutes of recital repertoire, this should include a major work by J.S. Bach and two Scarlatti sonatas. The remaining pieces should include works by the English Virginalists, 17th-century Italian composers, and the French Clavecinistes.
DMus/Graduate Diploma:
Applicants should prepare a balanced 60-minute program representing the most important styles of the 17th and 18th centuries. The program should include works from the repertoire on which applicants wish to focus their research projects
(Fortepiano)
MMUS/DMUS/Graduate Diploma
Sixty minutes of recital repertoire on a five-octave classical fortepiano (FF-a3), including at least one sonata by Joseph Haydn. The remaining works may be freely chosen from Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi, CPE Bach, or any other composer active between ca. 1750 and 1805.
Early Music Voice
(No live auditions will be scheduled in female voice, Graduate Diploma and all DMUS applicants until a screening recording has been received and reviewed.)
Screening Recording Requirements (for female voices):
For MMUS, 5 contrasting pieces, in four major languages, representing (a) song repertoire AND (b) opera OR oratorio OR both. One piece may be post-1800.
For DMUS, 7 contrasting pieces, in four major languages, representing (a) song repertoire AND (b) opera OR oratorio OR both. Two pieces may be post-1800.
MMus: Live or Recorded Audition Requirements
The audition is 30 minutes, performed from memory.
Two (2) Arias from Opera or Oratorio, including Passion and Cantata (1600 - 1800); at least one must be with recitative.
One (1) Recitative and Aria from a French or Italian Cantata.
Five (5) contrasting songs chosen from the Baroque, Renaissance and/or Medieval periods.
Four (4) languages required (English, French, German and Italian).
At the audition, candidates should provide six typed copies of their program for the audition panel. Copies of the music for the panel are not required. The candidate will select the first two (2) pieces to be performed. Subsequent choices will be made by the panel.
Audition should be presented with appropriate period instruments, if possible.
If not auditioning live, both video and audio recordings are required.
DMus/Graduate Diploma:
Applicants should prepare a balanced 60-minute program, performed from memory, and representing the major musical periods (Baroque, Renaissance, Medieval), contrasting styles (opera, oratorio, cantata, air de cour, songs), and the four (4) major languages (English, French, German, Italian). There should be at least two recitatives and the program should include works from the repertoire on which applicants wish to focus their research projects.
At least 24 hours before their scheduled audition time, applicants are requested to submit a copy of their long program and two individual choices of repertoire to be performed to the Chair of the Vocal Area so that an appropriate short program can be chosen. At the audition, this short program will be performed in its entirety as a 'mini-recital', after which, members of the jury may request to hear other selections from the long program.
Guitar (Options: Chamber Music, Solo)
Chamber Music:
Applicants must prepare 60 minutes of recital repertoire, 40 minutes of which may contain chamber music and 20 minutes of solo material. The program should include works of contrasting character from at least three different periods.
Solo:
Applicants must prepare 60 minutes of recital repertoire, 20 minutes of which may contain chamber music, i.e., a guitar concerto with piano accompaniment. The program should include works of contrasting character from at least three different periods.
DMus/Graduate Diploma:
Applicants must prepare 60 minutes of recital repertoire reflecting the nature of the performance specialization being proposed, e.g., a focus on 20th century music would necessitate a program of contemporary works, an early music specialization would require renaissance and baroque works, etc.
Harp
The audition material should include four works in different styles (one of which should be a 20th century composition) and an étude. Approximate duration: 40 minutes. Sight reading may be given.
Jazz
A live rhythm section will be provided.
Applicants must prepare 25-30 tunes from the standard jazz repertoire. The list of tunes may be submitted to the panel at the audition. As a rhythm section will be provided, lead sheets must be supplied so as to avoid harmonic discrepancies.
As part of the audition, applicants must perform one of the three (3) original compositions submitted with the application.
For recorded auditions (video strongly recommended), five pieces of various tempos and styles from the standard jazz repertoire, including a ballad and a rhythm tune, must be performed. In addition, the performance of an original composition is required.
A list of 25-30 standard jazz tunes from your performing repertoire and a lead sheet of the original composition must accompany the recording.
[Note: Jazz Drummers should bring their own cymbals.]
Organ and Church Music
MMus:
Sixty minutes of recital repertoire, which should include two contrasting movements of a Bach Trio Sonata or a Trio from the Leipzig collection or Klavierübung III collections as well as a major Prelude and Fugue by J.S. Bach. The remaining repertoire should include pre-Bach, romantic and contemporary selections.
DMus/Graduate Diploma:
Applicants should prepare sixty minutes of recital repertoire, which should include a major work by J.S. Bach. The remaining repertoire should include pre-Bach, romantic and contemporary selections. The candidate has the right to choose between a mechanical action or electric action instrument. If the candidate so chooses, the audition may be presented on two different instruments. A registration assistant may be used at the mechanical action console, but it is to be assumed that the candidate will do his own registrations at the electric console.
Percussion (Options: Chamber Music, Orchestral, Solo)
Applicants must demonstrate ability on all basic percussion instruments, i.e., timpani, keyboard percussion, snare drum, multiple percussion. Multiple percussion solos can be submitted to the admissions office, even if the applicant is performing a live audition.
Chamber Music:
- 30 minutes of solo recital repertoire plus 30 minutes of mixed chamber music (recording.) Sight reading. List of all chamber music performances in the past year, including repertoire and instrumentation.
Orchestral repertoire (percussion):
- 30 minutes of solo recital repertoire plus 30 minutes of mixed orchestral excerpts. Sight reading. List of previous orchestra experience, including repertoire.
Orchestral repertoire (timpani):
- 20 minutes of solo recital repertoire plus 40 minutes of mixed orchestral excerpts for timpani. Sight reading. List of previous orchestra experience, including repertoire.
Solo:
- 60 minutes of solo recital material in various styles. List of all solo performances in the past year, including repertoire.
DMus/Graduate Diploma:
Same requirements as M.Mus.
Collaborative Piano
GDPP and DMUS in Collaborative Piano *
Audition Requirements
1) 15-20 minutes of music of the candidate’s choice, from the Solo Piano repertoire. This should be memorized repertoire from one or two composers.
2) The candidate must include all three concentrations from the list below (under MMus audition requirements), or choose two of the instrumental pieces suggested plus one other area (vocal or opera). If the intention is to primarily work with singers, all three areas must be included in the audition.
3) In addition to the above Repertoire, there will be a sight-reading component to the audition as well as an interview with the Panel. Please review general requirements for the Doctoral program in preparation for your interview.
MMus in Collaborative Piano *
Audition Requirements
1) One selection, of the candidate’s choice, from the Solo Piano repertoire. This should be a memorized piece from a major composer that is a minimum of 8 minutes in length.
2) Selections from two of the following three Collaborative Concentrations:
I. Collaborative Concentration: INSTRUMENTAL
Please prepare the piano part from one of the following excerpts:
a) Beethoven, Violin Sonata No. 7, c minor, 1st movement, Allegro con brio
b) Brahms, Violin Sonata No. 2 in A, Op. 100, 1st movement, Allegro amabile
c) Franck, Violin Sonata in A, 2nd movement, Allegro
Please note: An official violinist will be provided by the Schulich School of Music
II. Collaborative Concentration: VOCAL
Please prepare the following songs:
a) Franz Schubert Ganymed
b) Johannes Brahms Meine Liebe ist grün
c) Claude Debussy Il pleure dans mon coeur
d) Richard Strauss Allerseelen
e) Samuel Barber St. Ita¹s Vision
Please note: A singer will be provided by the Schulich School of Music
III. Collaborative Concentration: OPERA
Please prepare:
a) Any Aria from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro
AND
b) “Sein wir wieder gut” from Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos
OR
c) “Here I Stand” from Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress
Please note: The operatic excerpts should be sung in the original language while playing the orchestral reduction from any standard piano/vocal score.
3) In addition to the above Repertoire, there will be a sight-reading component to the audition as well as an interview with the Panel.
In all auditions the candidate may select the first work (or movement) to be performed. The panel may interrupt the repertoire offered in the candidate’s audition program.
If not auditioning live, video and audio recordings are required.
Piano
MMus: Live or Recorded Audition Requirements:
Piano Performance Solo:
- 40 minutes of solo recital material* (see Piano Audition Material below)
- These should be memorized pieces from major composers.
*Piano Audition Material
Solo audition material must include works chosen from categories a and b, and one or more selections from c, d, e, or f:
a) One movement, or more, of a sonata (or a set of variations), from the 18th/early 19th century, e.g., Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert.
b) One piece from the 19th century, e.g., Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms.
c) One piece from the 17th/18th century, e.g., Bach, Scarlatti, Rameau, Handel, Couperin.
d) One piece from the end of the 19th/early 20th century, e.g., Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Albeniz, Schoenberg, Reger, Scriabin, Berg, Rachmaninoff, FRANCK e) One piece from the 20th century (up to c.1950), e.g., Bartok, Webern, Hindemith, Stravinsky, Prokofieff, Messiaen. f) One piece from the contemporary repertoire, e.g., Stockhausen, Boulez, Berio, Xenakis, Mather, Cherney, Tremblay (memorization for this category is optional).
In all auditions the candidate may select the first work (or movement) to be performed. The panel may interrupt the repertoire offered in the candidate’s audition program.
If not auditioning live, video and audio recordings are required.
DMus Solo:
Applicants must prepare one recital program of 45-60 minutes. These should be memorized pieces from major composers with the exception of pieces from category f) above. The panel may choose to hear complete works and/or excerpts. Programs should include a range of styles, genres and periods and should feature music from the repertoire area in which applicants wish to focus their major research and performance. Candidates will also be interviewed about their research interests as part of the audition.
Candidates applying for the Solo option in Performance should present a solo program.
Strings (Options: Chamber Music, Orchestral, Solo)
Candidates for the Lloyd Carr-Harris String Scholarships should prepare an hour of repertoire, including the repertoire indicated in the audition requirements, and the concerto must be a complete major concerto.
Violin:
- A major concerto from the 19th or 20th century
- 2 movements of an unaccompanied Sonata by J.S. Bach
- A Paganini caprice
All concertos and unaccompanied Bach to be played from memory.
Viola:
- One étude by Campagnoli
- The prelude and two other contrasting movements of an unaccompanied Suite by J.S. Bach
- A fast and a slow movement from a major concerto
All concertos and unaccompanied Bach to be played from memory.
Cello:
- One study by either Servais or Piatti
- The prelude and two other contrasting movements of a Suite by J.S. Bach
- A fast and a slow movement from any classical, romantic or modern concerto
All concertos and unaccompanied Bach to be played from memory.
Double Bass (orchestral or solo option only):
- One movement from a Suite by J.S. Bach
- A concerto
- A contemporary work
- 4 orchestral excerpts
All concertos and unaccompanied Bach to be played from memory.
If not auditioning live, video is required.
DMus/Graduate Diploma:
Doctoral candidates on all string instruments are asked to present a one-hour program of repertoire from the various musical periods.
Voice (Opera and Voice)
(No live auditions will be scheduled in female voices until a screening recording has been received and reviewed.)
Screening Recording Requirements (for female voices):
For MMus, 5 contrasting pieces, in four major languages, representing both operatic and song repertoire.
For DMus, 7 contrasting pieces, in four major languages, representing both operatic and song repertoire.
MMus: Live or Recorded Audition Requirements:
The audition is 30 minutes, performed from memory.
Solo:
- 1 Operatic Aria
- 1 Recitative and Aria from Opera, Oratorio or Cantata (1600-1800)
- 2 contrasting Mélodies Françaises
- 2 contrasting Lieder
- 1 Song or Aria in a "contemporary" idiom
Four (4) languages required (English, French, German and Italian).
At the audition, candidates should provide six typed copies of their program for the audition panel. Copies of the music for the panel are not required. The candidate will select the first two (2) pieces to be performed. Subsequent choices will be made by the panel.
DMus/Graduate Diploma:
Applicants should prepare a balanced 60-minute program of song repertoire, performed from memory, and representing the major musical periods, contrasting styles, and the four major languages (English, French, German and Italian). In addition, there should be at least one operatic aria, as well as a recitative and aria from Opera, Oratorio or Cantata (1600-1800).
At least 24 hours before their scheduled audition time, applicants are requested to submit a copy of their long program and two individual choices of repertoire to be performed to the Chair of the Vocal Area so that an appropriate short program can be chosen. At the audition, this short program will be performed in its entirety as a 'mini-recital', after which, members of the jury may request to hear other selections from the long program.
Voice (Option: Opera Performance)
(No live auditions will be scheduled in female voices until a screening recording has been received and reviewed.)
Screening Recording Requirements (for female voices):
For MMus, 5 contrasting pieces, in four major languages, representing both operatic and song repertoire.
For DMus, 7 contrasting pieces, in four major languages, representing both operatic and song repertoire.
Live or Recorded Audition Requirements:
The audition is 30 minutes, performed from memory.
- 3 Operatic Arias (contrasting styles and moods)
- 2 Opera, Oratorio or Cantata Arias (1600-1800)
- 1 Song or Aria in a "contemporary" idiom
- 1 Song or Aria (from Opera, Oratorio, Operetta or Musical Theatre) of the candidate's own choosing
At least two (2) of the arias should include significant recitative. The candidate should be prepared to act out three (3) of the operatic arias (at least one with recitative).
Four (4) languages required (English, French, German and Italian).
At the audition, candidates should provide six typed copies of their program for the audition panel. Copies of the music for the panel are not required. The candidate will select the first two (2) pieces to be performed. Subsequent choices will be made by the panel. In addition, there will be an interview.
Since enrolment in the MMus Opera Performance option is very limited, it is strongly recommended that candidates wishing to audition for that program should also prepare appropriate song repertoire listed in the MMus Voice Solo option, thereby making it possible that they are automatically considered for that program.
If not auditioning live, both video and audio recordings are required.
DMus/Graduate Diploma:
Applicants should prepare a balanced 60-minute program, performed from memory, and representing the major musical periods, contrasting styles, and the four major languages (English, French, German and Italian). In addition, there should be at least one operatic aria, as well as a recitative and aria from Opera, Oratorio or Cantata (1600-1800).
At least 24 hours before their scheduled audition time, applicants are requested to submit a copy of their long program and two individual choices of repertoire to be performed to the Chair of the Vocal Area so that an appropriate short program can be chosen. At the audition, this short program will be performed in its entirety as a 'mini-recital', after which, members of the jury may request to hear other selections from the long program.
Woodwinds (Options: Chamber Music, Orchestral, Solo)
Chamber Music:
- 60 minutes of recital material (solo and/or chamber music) in various styles
Orchestral:
- 40 minutes of recital material
- 20 minutes of standard orchestral excerpts
Solo:
- 60 minutes of solo recital material in various styles
DMus/Graduate Diploma:
Sixty minutes of recital material in various styles